Can't hit irons at all

Petunia Sprinkle · November 8, 2015

My mishits include shanks, near shanks, fat, thin, way too low, all irons go same distance (probably not related), etc. (My apologies to any of the mishits I've forgotten to mention.) These mishits happen with all 648 of my different golf swings. My divots are often so deep, one can hear conversations in Mandarin emanating from them. Oddly, I hit my hybrids great. I can even hit my driver off the deck. I do have less trouble hitting my irons off a tee, and off a mat. Obviously, getting too steep with my irons is partly the issue, but I think it's my concept of how irons hit a ball that's the root of my issues. I don't take divots with my hybrids, so I'm certainly capable of making a shallower swing. I think I just get this 'hit down on it' mentality with my irons.

I used to play with only 4 clubs (3w, 7i, pw, putter). The 7iron I used to use was a MacGregor Golden Bear from the early 70s. In comparing the bottom of it to the 7 in my X2 Hots, my old 7iron is about half as thick. Is it possible the thicker sole is causing me some issues, or am I just an idiot?

glk · November 8, 2015

When seeking advice I would recommend against "idiot" being one of them, especially if the other options leave it to be the most logical choice. My guess though is it's your swing and not the clubs. You're welcome.

Petunia Sprinkle · November 8, 2015

[quote name='glk' timestamp='1447001072' post='12569884']
When seeking advice I would recommend against "idiot" being one of them, especially if the other options leave it to be the most logical choice. My guess though is it's your swing and not the clubs. You're welcome.
[/quote]

I certainly do appreciate your well thought out, well worded advice.

mikpga · November 9, 2015

Perhaps you have too many levers in your swing...

Petunia Sprinkle · November 9, 2015

[quote name='mikpga' timestamp='1447075876' post='12573562']
Perhaps you have too many levers in your swing...
[/quote]

B'Dum-Ching!1 It's certainly possible. Just because I've always had a bent left elbow in my backswing and this is a relatively new problem (suggesting no correlation), it might be a minor contributing factor.

I suspect my angle of attack is way too steep with irons. And, I think it is so because I have this idea in my head that I need to hit down on them more than needed. So, yeah, a bent left elbow in my backswing might facilitate that notion more than a straight one, but it's not the cause. I've started practicing irons on the mats at the driving range just because I know I'm too chicken to beat down on a mat (reminds me of Catholic school).

The real weird thought in my head is this fear that I'm going to hit the ground if I try to sweep the irons more. I can't visualize, in my head, how I can sweep the irons as I do with my hybrids and my driver off the deck.

mikpga · November 9, 2015

More levers equals more potential power, yet leads to less control...

Petunia Sprinkle · November 9, 2015

[quote name='mikpga' timestamp='1447079981' post='12573788']
More levers equals more potential power, yet leads to less control...
[/quote]

Yup...uh-huh...

Petunia Sprinkle · November 9, 2015

I was just swinging super slowly in my bonus room and I think I have it figured out. I used to have a very strong grip (wrong three knuckles) which I used in a closed stance. My swing was very much what Billy Harmon would refer to as an in-and-over swing. The last year, though, I've been trying to change to a neutral grip and a slightly open stance. This worked great with my woods and hybrids, not so with the irons. What I realized swinging slowly is that my takeaway is still inside, my downswing path is over that but still inside, yet with a neutral grip and even a more traditional strong grip, the clubface is now open with the hosel leading the way. I tried taking the club back outside and either coming back the same way, or dropping it inside, and the clubface would come in square. I know this also shallows out the path, so this could take care of a number of the issues I've been having with my irons. I still have to take all this crap to the range to see if it really is 'aha!' and not 'oh well...', but at least, I've got a potential answer that makes sense.

My dear old pal, mikpga, will be glad to know that taking the club more outside, or what feels like outside to me, results in a straighter left arm and more width (who knew?). Sleep well tonight, my friend.

Will Par · November 9, 2015

Maybe you have a mental image that the clubface needs to be less lofted to make the ball go forward. When you hit an iron, you get your hands way ahead and come in steep to keep the ball from flying too high. Try a new mental image and make a swing that lets the ball fly straight up. Of course it won't fly straight up, it will go forward, but that image may allow you make the same shallow swing you make with your driver and hybrids. Those are my thoughts based on your description.

If it doesn't work, consider the source. Internet forum with advice from a stranger with no documented qualifications.

Petunia Sprinkle · November 9, 2015

[quote name='Buddyroo' timestamp='1447087538' post='12574320']
Maybe you have a mental image that the clubface needs to be less lofted to make the ball go forward. When you hit an iron, you get your hands way ahead and come in steep to keep the ball from flying too high. Try a new mental image and make a swing that lets the ball fly straight up. Of course it won't fly straight up, it will go forward, but that image may allow you make the same shallow swing you make with your driver and hybrids. Those are my thoughts based on your description.[/quote]

I think you're absolutely right. I definitely got 'shaft lean' crazy as soon as I heard the term.

[quote]If it doesn't work, consider the source. Internet forum with advice from a stranger with no documented qualifications.
[/quote]

From your analysis, I'm guessing you, at least, drove past a Holiday Inn Express last night.